Touch of Grey

(Description, Members & History)

Touch of Grey , founded in 2003, is a versatile group of musicians who concentrate on classic rock’n’roll. The name of the band has several connotations: classic; Southern rock; a little Grateful Dead. Yes, they are “grey-beards,” with the exception of the kid drummer. They play vintage music, like fine, aged wine…. Touch of Grey is a rockin’ boogie band that make you want to move. If you like rock’n’roll, Motown soul, or laid-back acoustic music, they fit the bill. Expect songs from Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, The Eagles, Stevie Ray Vaughn, The Rolling Stones, Jimmy Buffet, Marvin Gaye, The Allman Brothers, ZZ Top, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, The Grateful Dead, Credence Clearwater Revival, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Aerosmith, Bob Seger, Steve Miller, Wilson Pickett, James Brown, Otis Redding, The Temptations and more. Touch of Grey has entertained at a myriad of venues: The Island Lounge (St. Mary’s); McGarvey’s Wee Pub (Downtown Brunswick); Locos Deli & Pub ( St. Simons Island); Rafters Blues & Raw Bar ( St. Simons Island); Skipper’s Fish Camp/Oyster Bar & Grille (Downtown Darien); SeaJay’s Waterfront Café (Jekyll Island); Wango’s (Downtown Brunswick); Mudcat Charlie’s (Two Way Fish Camp on the Altamaha River); Sapelo Station (Eulonia); The Cypress Lounge (Darien); Gnat’s Landing (St. Simons Island); Brogen’s Bait Shack/Raw Bar (Golden Isles Marina)—Man we miss that place! We have played at numerous parties, wedding receptions etc. We look forward to playing Savannah Blues (City Market in Downtown Savannah) in August 2006 and The Palace Saloon ( Downtown Fernandina Beach, Florida) in August, September, and October of 2006. Come out and see us or contact us for bookings.

Touch of Grey:

Brian Gallagher (guitar & vocals): Brian moved to St. Simons Island in 1957 and began playing the clubs and teen dances when he was twelve. As a teenager, he was the lead vocalist for the band “The Dark,” which went on to win the state battle of the bands in Savannah and performed in the national competition on the Steel Pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1968. After spending his twenties as a professional musician, he worked on his bachelor degree ( Georgia Southern) and his Masters ( Armstrong Atlantic State) and began teaching American literature and composition at his alma mater Glynn Academy, which he has done for the last twenty-two years. He lives close by in his Windsor Park home in Brunswick, GA. During that time he has played in such bands as “The Vintage Club,” and “Bums in the Attic,” which played many of the same venues as Touch of Grey. Rock’n’roll is part of Brian’s soul.

Frank Lunsford (bass & vocals): Frank grew up on St. Simons Island, and after attending Clemson University, he made a career with BellSouth. As a teenager, he played in such rock bands as “The Flipside,” which covered the whole local music circuit in the 60’s. After leaving the Golden Isles, Frank spent two decades up in Savannah playing in various rock’n’roll and country bands. Eventually, Frank moved southbound to the “good life” in a marshfront home on “The Ridge” in McIntosh County. In Darien he continued playing bass for country and Southern rock bands. Now retired from BellSouth, Frank spends most of his time doing two things he loves: carpentry and music. Frank spends most of his days working on his hideaway cabin on Hird Island or doing renovation projects. He is a skilled craftsman, a talented musician, and an integral part of Touch of Grey.

Ron Lewis (drums & vocals): Ron comes from Nebraska via Nashville. He moved to St. Simons Island in 2000 and joined up with “Bums in the Attic” in 2001, which eventually evolved into “Touch of Grey” in 2003. A seasoned musician, Ron played in numerous bands in Nebraska and through his college years where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hastings College. In Nashville Ron refined his skills going on the road with a number of successful country/rock bands. A master mechanic and a dedicated father, Ron resides on St. Simons Island and spends as much time as he can with his children and his motorcycle. Many will tell you Ron Lewis is the best drummer around. He certainly is the backbone of Touch of Grey.

 Skip Hagey (guitar & vocals): Skip has been playing music since the age of eight, another victim of the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. At thirteen he went to the Georgia battle of the bands with “The Inner Soul,” then spent the next thirty years practicing and playing in a number of different groups. He earned a degree from Georgia State University in commercial music and went on to work for a couple of record companies in marketing. Skip moved back to Brunswick in 1994 and soon after joined “The Groupers” and then “Bums in the Attic.” As with most musicians, he holds down a day job, hanging wallpaper, to pay the bills. Skip is an aspiring artist (the paint on canvas kind), a gardener, and a very proud father of two daughters. He practices and plays guitar every day, which is apparent if you have ever witnessed his musical prowess on stage.

“He who hears music has his solitude peopled at once!” (Unknown)